A blood test with important research potential needs only a small blood sample to test for past exposure to hundreds of viruses. That's a major advance over current testing, which generally checks for one virus at a time. Photo source: CDC, Doug Jordan

Investigators are studying and making good progress with a new technique that uses a patient's blood sample to look for snippets of DNA that have been shed from cancerous tumors. This liquid biopsy may be a more accurate, sensitive, and convenient way to monitor cancer than traditional methods. Photo source: Jonathan Bailey, National Human Genome Research Institute

In an effort to reduce confusion and improve the benefits of screening for cancer, the American College of Physicians (ACP) recently issued guidelines for breast, ovarian, prostate, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. The ACP says it wants healthcare providers to focus on tests that improve health, avoid harms, and eliminate wasteful practices. Photo source: National Cancer Institute